I am a single mother to 2 young daughters. When my youngest started school last year, I found my mental health declined and I found myself severely depressed. I would take my daughters to school and come home and go back to bed in despair. I would stay there until it was time for the girls to come home from school. When my daughters came home from school even though I missed them so much, because of my depression I could not enjoy my time with them at home.

After 3 months of feeling this way, I was at the job centre and I broke down because of my depression and I had to go and see the doctors. My doctor gave me options on how to go forward and I found myself on anti-depressants and was referred for counselling. It took a month for the counsellor to get in touch with myself to make an appointment. I also had to go for a weekly assessment at the doctors during this time to keep an eye on my mental health. When I finally got to see my counsellor, I was then referred to an occupational therapist a week after my first session.

My therapist assisted in helping me make first steps to get out the house again and I went to visit cafes, the library etc. I was also advised to attend a computing course, even though I had to interest in this, it was something I could attend on a weekly basis and get some structure back into my days. After the second week, I bumped into Leanne who told me about the Pat Cullinan centre and the work that The Health and Wellness Hub do within the community, Leanne gave me further information on The Health and Wellness Hub and the volunteering opportunities within the organisation. Leanne advised me that all the volunteers within the organisation have all went through what I was going through at the minute and that everyone has similar backgrounds with mental health and physical health. This gave me comfort and I started to take an interest in volunteering for the organisation.

I started to attend the Community Health Hub to try the treatments which were on offer, after a few months of attending the hub, I decided that I wanted to volunteer. I spoke to Leanne and it was agreed that I could be put through the massage training. I was a mixture of nerves and excitement, but I went for it and I received my qualification in full body Swedish massage. I now volunteer in two of the Community Health Hubs as well as volunteering within The Health and Wellness Hub’s outreach programmes. I always had my training notes with me as I was too nervous to go into the hub without my notes and I was scared that I was going to let the service users down but as my confidence has grown I no longer need my notes and I love attending the hubs and I look forward to this time each week. I can now see myself as my own person again rather than just “mum”.

I have now gone on to complete my training in Reiki level 1 and 2, Scottish Mental Health First Aid, Manual Handling, First Aid and I have also completed my SQA in Volunteering.

I am so much happier than I was before, my depression has gone, and I have been off my anti-depressants for six months now and I no longer need to see my counsellor and occupational therapist. At home, I am back to my normal self and my children have noticed. I am back out shopping with my girls, spending quality time with them at home and recently, carving pumpkins! They have said how much happier I am and know what days I go to work as they can see it in me in the morning.

I’m back at enjoying life now. Not everyone wants to be on anti-depressants, but I felt I had no choice. If I had been given the choice from the doctor of taking anti-depressants or attending The Health and Wellness Hub I would have picked the hub.

Case Study 2

Liz has really bad arthritis and is in constant pain and has to take morphine because of the pain, she has really bad Arthritis on her knees and is on the waiting list for knee replacements , when she gets her Reiki on a Friday at the group the pain in her knees vanish for about 2 hours , so her treatments really help her but her medication intake is still the same . Treatments at the Parkinson’s is one of the only things that keep her going and she is excited about the centre opening as she will be able to get the bus straight over from old Forgewood right to the Main Street :)

Case Study 3

Anna experienced severe anxiety. She attended the North Motherwell Hub, received Reiki and massage, she then trained in Reiki, Swedish massage and oncology massage to work with people living with cancer and long term health conditions. In April 2015, Anna became an employee of the organisation. Being a service user, then a volunteer to being employed by the organisation has helped Anna immensely with her anxiety. She goes out more, has made new friends, has much more confidence and is actively using her skills and attributes to help others in the community.

Case Study 4

Lisa Marie has a physical disability and was referred through Occupational Therapy. She received Reiki at the Craigneuk Hub and was then trained as a Reiki therapist. In December 2014, Lisa Marie joined our board and plays a pivotal role in the development of services. Up to June 2015, she was volunteering at the Craigneuk Hub. Due to her active volunteering role, Lisa Maries confidence increased and her physical and emotional health improved and Lisa Marie moved back into employment after being out of work for many years in August 2015.

Case Study 5

Natasha has a learning disability. She attended the North Motherwell Hub and received massage treatments. She then trained as a massage therapist and now volunteers with the North Motherwell Hub. Natasha was very shy and would not speak much without her support worker. Natasha now volunteers independently without a support worker present and gives service users massage tasters each week. Her confidence is very high now and she has been speaking about setting herself up as a self-employed therapist.

Testimonials

“This hub has been life changing for me. I look forward to Monday. I feel the benefit of the Tai Chi class. I am sleeping better after the massage. I am making friends and feeling as though I am part of the community. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly”

Hub Participant

“I always enjoy my massage each week. It is part of my weekly routine and look forward to it. I am very stressed and this releases my anxiety”

Hub Participant

“I love the treatments. I suffer from bad back pain and feel it has improved since starting reiki treatment. The treatments make me feel good and I can’t wait for the following week for my next appointment”

Hub Participant

“I am 66 and suffer from neck issues and chronic asthma. I enjoy coming to the hub as it gets me out and I get to speak to other people. Coming the hubs has helped me gain confidence and the treatments have helped the issues I have had with my neck”

Hub Participant

“I feel less anxious, it’s helping me in my caring role since receiving and giving therapies”

Hub Volunteer

“The hub improves my confidence as it gets me out and about. I enjoy meeting people and socializing in a friendly environment. The treatments I get makes me feel pampered and spoiled”

Hub Participant

I look forward to my Tai Chi class every week. I have found ways to make my own health better and improved my wellbeing. I hardly take painkillers now. I used to think I couldn’t do without them. I had no idea Tai Chi would help me like this.

Hub Service User

Feeling stronger and healthier. Making friends. The class inspires me to keep trying, to make friends, to exercise and walk a bit more. Feeling generally less stressed and more confident.

Hub Service User

“I started volunteering after I had attended Jim Foley hub a few times as a service user. Anna had asked me if I would like to cover the front desk and I thought, why not! I enjoyed doing this as I got to meet new people every week and liked to speak to everyone. It got me out the house and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have completed various courses as a volunteer and love every minute of it”

Hub Service User

“I would never have had the confidence and belief to find employment if it wasn’t for the hub and the lovely, friendly people there. I can’t thank the Health and Wellness Hub enough for everything they have done for me”

Hub Service User

“The therapies are extremely helpful, relaxation makes me feel better within myself. Therapists make a difference with their friendly manner”

Hub Service User

“Living with Parkinson's my body is constantly tensed and stiffened. After the therapy treatments received from The Health and Wellness hub the shaking diminishes and I don’t feel to tense and rigid”

“Thoroughly enjoy, especially as a carer. I look forward to my Reiki and Therapists are so nice and make you feel comfortable”

Hub Service User

“I look forward to my treatment on a Friday. Its not only the physical the therapies help with but also the emotional support which has been fantastic. Three amazing girls”

Hub Service User

“I’m loving my Reiki and having great changes in my life for the better, I have joined the gym eating better and looking after myself better”

Hub Volunteer

“I had a brilliant day at the hub today. I love reiki more and more all the time and I felt I did a better job with the massage today too. The laughter yoga was great and I can still feel the effects”

Hub Volunteer

“Fantastic service, please keep this going forever”

Hub Service User

“I really enjoyed today's yoga session. Everyone made me feel so welcome, I think fitness and relaxation classes are a brilliant idea and will help me greatly on my road to feeling better physically and emotionally”

Hub Service User

“I am really enjoying coming to the Hub. I am unemployed at the moment and feel this is helping me stay in touch with people and helping me keep fit and healthy”